Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/tag/watertown-food/)
The group seeking to bring a food co-operative to the Watertown area will host its second annual meeting on Nov. 21. Members and potential members may attend. See details below. The Charles River Food Co-op is pleased to announce its second Annual Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
If you missed Berry Mari and Belle at the Watertown Farmers Market, you can buy Hanna Opdahl’s jams and preserves at a pop-up and she will also be collecting items for the Watertown Food Pantry with donors being entered into a drawing for jam and spices. See details below. Berry Mari and Belle will be having a jam pop-up at Curio Spice Co., 2265 Mass. Ave., in Cambridge on Saturday, Nov. 23 (12-4 p.m.), and will be collecting donations for the Watertown Food Pantry.
Hanna Opdahl sells her homemade jams and preserves at the Watertown Farmers Market, at other markets, and online. (Contributed Photo)
Jams and jellies run in the family. Or at least, they do for Hanna Opdahl, Watertown resident and owner of Berry Mari and Belle.
What began as a hobby shared by Hanna and her mother, Marianne, is now a small business that crafts and sells small batch novelty jams, jellies, and marmalades.
“I grew up jamming, canning, and gardening with my parents and I loved it,” said Hanna. “My mom is an incredible cook and is always coming up with fun experimental recipes and flavors.”
Originally from Oregon, Hanna relocated to Watertown a little over three years ago after accepting a job offer in Boston. “It was a little bit of a scary jump, but I was very excited to come out here.
Manakeesh, a flatbread with za’atar and cheese on top, served at Anoush’ella Cafe in Watertown. (Photo by Maya Shwayder)
Tucked inside the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) in Watertown, the café Anoush’ella — a name that translates to “may it be sweet” in Armenian — has quickly become a beloved weekly fixture, serving more than just food. Run by Nina Festekjian and her husband Rafi, alongside community center manager Vatche Seraderian, this gem of a spot blends culinary delights with cultural pride, providing a space for the Armenian community to gather, share stories, and reconnect with their heritage through shared space and food. Though the café only opens its doors just once a week on Thursday, it’s already establishing itself as a key part of the community’s rhythm. The story of Anoush’ella started as a personal passion project for Nina and Rafi.
Belle’s Burgers announces it will take over the Wild Willy’s location in Watertown. (Photo from Belle’s Burgers’ Facebook page)
A favorite spot for burgers in Watertown will continue to be a burger joint, but will have a new brand. Wild Willy’s has become Belle’s Burgers and Ice Cream. Belle’s promoted the change on its Facebook page (formerly the Wild Willy’s Watertown page) saying that they will have “Same Great Food, Same Great Staff.” The Wild Willy’s website has a message saying that the restaurant at 46 Arsenal Street is no longer affiliated with Wild Willy’s.
NAYA will be serving Middle Eastern dishes at Arsenal Yards. (Contributed Photo)
The following announcement was provided by NAYA:
NAYA, the celebrated Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant known for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, will be joining the Arsenal Yards neighborhood this winter in Watertown, MA. This exciting addition to the Arsenal Yards community marks a significant expansion for NAYA, bringing its authentic, health-conscious Middle Eastern dishes to New England for the first time!
NAYA’s mission is rooted in the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East, offering a menu that emphasizes freshness, quality, and customization. Diners can expect a diverse selection of mouth-watering dishes, including signature bowls, wraps, salads, and mezze, all crafted with the finest ingredients. Each dish is designed to be both nutritious and delicious, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences and lifestyles.
In addition to the Watertown location, NAYA has future expansion plans in Boston at 95 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110 and 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.
A restaurant serving Southern Indian dishes has opened in Watertown on School Street. Chennai Eats moved into the former Don’s BBQ/Avenue Deli/Strip-T’s space at 93 School St. in Watertown, the Boston Restaurant Talk website reported. The menu features dosas, chaat, biryani, Indo-Chinese dishes, as well as a variety of curry and other Indian dishes. Meat and vegetarian options are available.
A sandwich served at Revival Cafe in East Watertown. (Courtesy of Revival Cafe)
One of Watertown’s newest cafes combines creative forces of two people with culinary pedigrees in the Boston area. The cafe, which is tucked in a corner of East Watertown, melds the vision and taste of the two owners. Nookie Postal and Liza Shirazi opened their newest location of Revival Cafe in January at 99 Coolidge Ave., in the back of a recently constructed life science building on the former site of the Mount Auburn Club. Postal owned Commonwealth in Kendall Square, which closed last year after 10 years.